"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble." (- William Shakespeare, Macbeth). Every Halloween display needs a cauldron, but they are hard to find... When was the last time you saw a cauldron salesman going door to door?
So the only option is to make it! Of course it has to be life- (I mean) death-size and bubbling with green goo!
This creation is a full-size cauldron with a removable clear 6-inch liquid-tight tray on top that can be filled with any liquid you desire and back-lighted any color from below. The tray is plumbed with multiple air outlets that provide a constant stream of bubbles. It sits on a glowing fire 'suspended' from its chain and tripod.
The cauldron consists of:
The Pot (Cauldron proper)
Liquid Tray
Support Base
Tripod
So the only option is to make it! Of course it has to be life- (I mean) death-size and bubbling with green goo!
This creation is a full-size cauldron with a removable clear 6-inch liquid-tight tray on top that can be filled with any liquid you desire and back-lighted any color from below. The tray is plumbed with multiple air outlets that provide a constant stream of bubbles. It sits on a glowing fire 'suspended' from its chain and tripod.
The cauldron consists of:
The Pot (Cauldron proper)
Liquid Tray
Support Base
Tripod
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Signing UpStep 1: Paper Mache the Pot (Cauldron)
Photo 1: The cauldron is based on the shape of a large (~3ft dia) balloon picked up from a party supply store. The balloon is paper mached with four or five layers of newsprint dipped in liquid starch. Each layer is allowed to dry before applying the next. After the paper mache ball is dry the top is cut off and the balloon is removed.
To give the cauldron support and allow space for the back-light and air pump a large plastic trashcan is cut down in height and placed inside the paper mache ball. The height of the trashcan is selected to allow enough space from the top edge of the trashcan to the lip of the cauldron for the height of the Liquid Tray.
Photo 2: In order to provide inconspicuous access to the inside of the cauldron from the outside, a pass-through was provided in the bottom of the trashcan and cauldron. This was done with slip-joint ABS plastic pipe with fittings that accept threaded plugs so that the trashcan could be partly filled with water in case in the future I ever wanted to use water and dry ice in it. (Only a slight amount of water to keep the weight down.)
It is intended that the weight of the cauldron will be supported by the base that it sits on. The cauldron bail / handle is only intended to steady it and complete the appearance. Securement of the bail is provided by two threaded eyebolts slipped over two u-bolts that pass into the side of the cauldron. The u-bolts are tied to the trashcan by 12 gauge sheet metal brackets (framing ties) that are bent to shape and bolted to the trashcan. This ties the bail firmly to the trashcan but not in a way that could support the weight of the cauldron with liquid in it. The base does that.
To give the cauldron support and allow space for the back-light and air pump a large plastic trashcan is cut down in height and placed inside the paper mache ball. The height of the trashcan is selected to allow enough space from the top edge of the trashcan to the lip of the cauldron for the height of the Liquid Tray.
Photo 2: In order to provide inconspicuous access to the inside of the cauldron from the outside, a pass-through was provided in the bottom of the trashcan and cauldron. This was done with slip-joint ABS plastic pipe with fittings that accept threaded plugs so that the trashcan could be partly filled with water in case in the future I ever wanted to use water and dry ice in it. (Only a slight amount of water to keep the weight down.)
It is intended that the weight of the cauldron will be supported by the base that it sits on. The cauldron bail / handle is only intended to steady it and complete the appearance. Securement of the bail is provided by two threaded eyebolts slipped over two u-bolts that pass into the side of the cauldron. The u-bolts are tied to the trashcan by 12 gauge sheet metal brackets (framing ties) that are bent to shape and bolted to the trashcan. This ties the bail firmly to the trashcan but not in a way that could support the weight of the cauldron with liquid in it. The base does that.
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Could you please answer a couple of questions:
How do you smooth layers of toilet paper papier mache?
How do you make your newspaper papier mache so smooth?
Thank you.
Only newspaper was used to make the shape of the cauldron. If you take a single sheet of newspaper, cut it into strips and dip them in liquid starch (the type used in the laundry for making washed shirts crisp; i.e. starched). when they are pretty saturated with the liquid starch they smooth down quite well.
When I pull a strip out of the liquid starch I 'squeegee' it through my fingers to remove excess liquid then place it and smooth it down. I have had very good results. There is a optimum time to let the newspaper sit in the starch, too short and ti will not stick or smooth well, too long and it falls apart too easily. Some trial and error works well here.
You have to be sure not to use too wide of strips as the curvature of the balloon will cause 'puckers' on the sides of the strip since is will not lay flat.
Good Luck!